System and method for a subscriber-powered network element

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application is filed under 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) as a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11/369,512, which was filed on Mar. 01, 2006 under 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the provisional Patent Application No. 60/657,511 filed on Mar. 01, 2005, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0002The invention relates generally to fiber optic communication networks, more specifically to the powering architecture of broadband access networks and particularly to subscriber powering of broadband access networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0003With increasing customer demand for transmitting and receiving increasingly greater amounts of information, telecommunication and cable companies are being pushed to upgrade their communication network infrastructures. In order to supply more information in the form of video, audio and telephony at higher rates, higher bandwidth communication network upgrades are required. Twisted copper wire does not support high bandwidths over a great distance and while coax cable does a better job, it too has reach and bandwidth limitations. Optical fiber can provide virtually unlimited bandwidth thus enabling broadband and multimedia services.

0004Modern telephone communication network infrastructures, such as fiber in the loop networks (FITL), utilize a combination of fiber optics and twisted pair wire to send communications data to a customer. While modern cable communication network infrastructures, such as Hybrid Fiber Coax networks (HFC), utilize a combination of fiber optics and coax cable to send communication data to a customer. Generally, customers are served by the twisted pair wire or coax cable in the last mile of the telecommunication networks or within the last two to three miles of cable networks. In order to achieve high bandwidths at a customer location, the fiber optic loop must be brought closer to the customer so that the copper drop is of a sufficiently short distance and will be capable of supporting higher data transfer rates.

0005One major problem with bringing fiber cable within a short distance of a customer location is the added burden of maintaining the multitude of optical to copper drop sites. These drop sites are network elements that are called optical network units (ONUs) or optical network terminals (ONTs) in telecommunication networks and optical node (or simply a node) in cable networks and generally serve to convert signals between the optical domain of a fiber and electrical domain of a twisted copper wire or coax cable.

0006A significant part of the maintenance of these drop sites is supplying their power requirements. Optical fiber itself is not capable of carrying the electricity to power these drop sites. This creates a challenge in planning, distributing and deployment of electricity to power the drop sites' energy needs. Furthermore, reserve power must also be provided if the main power to the drop site fails with enough reserve capacity capable of meeting performance and reliability requirements of the network. This is often the case with Lifeline telephony service, which is required on telecommunication networks. Lifeline telephone means that the customer telephones must remain energized and operational during an AC power interruption or outage.

0007The subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment (CPE) found at the terminal end of the telecommunication and cable networks are assumed to be provided with power and reserve power from the subscriber or customer premise. The drop sites can be centrally powered from a distributed copper facility or a power node located near a cluster of drop sites, or locally powered from a nearby commercial power source, or with solar photovoltaic energy.

0008In the case of centralized power, power can be provided over new or existing copper facilities. Power can also be provided on separate twisted pair wire or coax cable that are bonded to the outside of a fiber or deployed with the fiber during installation of the fiber. However, centralized power is a strategy that requires a separate power network to be deployed that is separate from the information network. With increasing distances between a central office (CO) or head end to the remote drop sites increased voltages are required on the power network to feed the drop site energy needs. However, increased voltages raise craft safety issues. The power network may be augmented with power nodes located near a cluster of drop sites, however additional metallic enclosures increase susceptibility to electrical surges caused by lightning and power-line induction. Furthermore, there is the 24-hour a day cost of supplying electricity to the power network, as well as regular maintenance and support of the power network itself including regular replacement of batteries for Lifeline services, which are generally located at the CO or head end.

0009In the case of locally powered drop sites, power is derived near a drop site and reserve power is provided with batteries at the drop site. The primary energy source for this architecture is commercial AC power tapped from a power utility's facility. The power supply is placed in a small environmentally hardened enclosure that could be co-located with a drop site; however, the batteries are generally in the same enclosure as the drop site. This results in a large number of battery sites and power access points. Generally the cost of this type of system is high primarily due to the cost of connecting drop sites to a commercial power source. Regional power utility companies may insist on metered connections to their power grid, incurring a one-time ac meter installation and connection charge to be levied. Additionally a minimum monthly meter charge may be levied regardless of usage. This poses a major problem when the monthly energy consumption of a drop site is significantly lower than the minimum charge.

0010In the case of powering the communication network infrastructure with solar power, this strategy minimizes some of the disadvantages of centralized and locally powering such as vulnerability to lightning and limited battery reserve, allowing fiber to be the sole distribution facility. Solar panels and large batteries are co-located at drop sites, which power the drop sites continuously without any connection to any power gird. However, its use is limited to areas with direct access to sunlight as the output of solar panels decreases with a reduction in incident solar energy. Therefore, this strategy cannot be used everywhere. In addition, solar power requires the highest amount of battery capacity (Wh) to be installed.

0011As such, a need exists for a system and method for powering a fiber optic communication network that brings fiber within a short distance of a subscriber or customer location. The power strategy or architecture of the fiber optic communication network must be capable of supporting and operating the multitude of drop sites in a cost effective and maintainable manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0012According to the present invention, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by a subscriber or customer remote device or gateway are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits may be achieved using the present invention. For example, the present invention has the advantage of being free of any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges. Additionally the present invention is free of monthly meter charges, although local regulations may require reimbursement to subscribers for power used. Furthermore, the present invention does not create a separate power network. The information network and the power network are the same network.

0013In general, in one aspect, the invention includes a system for powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network, such as a fiber in the loop network, which transmits communication data between a central office (CO) and subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment. The network element, such as a drop site, serves to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and copper wires to the subscriber's gateway. The subscriber gateway or a remote user device further includes a DC power source, a high-speed client modem, and a Subscriber Line Interface Circuit (SLIC) device that includes means for coupling the communications of the client modem and the DC power output of the DC power source. The network element further includes a high-speed CO modem, a DC-to-DC power converter, and a Data Access Arrangement (DAA) device that includes means for coupling communications of the CO modem and delivers the DC power from the subscriber gateway to the DC-to-DC power converter. A pair of copper wires that is in electrical communication between the subscriber gateway and the network element serves as a medium for DC power transfer to the network element and for modem communications. In this way, the network element is powered by the subscriber premise over the copper wires and the modems are in communication over the same copper wires.

0014Aspects of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The fiber optic network is a fiber in the loop network such as a Fiber to the Curb (FTTC) network, a Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) network, a Fiber to the Node (FTTN) network, or a Fiber to the Basement (FTTB) network. Furthermore, the Fiber in the loop network may be a point-to-point network or a point-to-multipoint network, such as a Passive Optical Network (PON). For example, the Fiber in the loop network may be a point-to-point Fiber to the Curb network (FTTC-P2P) or a passive optical Fiber to the Curb network (FTTC-PON) implementation. The modems, according to the invention, may be Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) type of modems such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) modems, Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber line (VDSL) modems, or Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line 2 (VDSL2) modems. The modems may also be Power Line, also called Power Line Communication or Power Line Carrier (PLC), modems. The SLIC and DAA devices may comprise coupling capacitors, coupling transformers, blocking inductors, or perform inductive coupling. Furthermore, the SLIC and DAA devices may include elements for low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, and/or high pass filtering. The SLIC device will limit the current of the transmitted DC power to non-hazardous levels. The pair of copper wires is a twisted copper wire pair such as 22 or 24 gauge twisted copper pair, but may also be a single pair from a category 3 cable, or a single pair from a category 5 cable. The network element that is powered by the subscriber maybe an optical network unit (ONU) or an optical network terminal (ONT). The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device may further include one or more of the following features for remote user use: an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a WiFi network, a Voice over IP (VoIP) service, or an IPTV service. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device my also provide Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) and include a battery backup incase of subscriber mains power loss to provide lifeline support. The battery may be user, customer or subscriber replaceable. The battery may also be located at the network element. The DC power supply at the subscriber or customer premise may be a DC-to-DC power supply or an AC-to-DC power supply.

0015In general, in another aspect, the invention includes a system for powering a network element of a fiber optic network, such as a fiber to the premise (FTTP) network, which enables broadband communications between a CO and a subscriber or customer. The network element, such as an ONU or ONT, serves to convert signals from the optical domain of optical fiber coming to the network element from a CO to electrical signals on copper twisted pairs or that run between the network element and a subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment. The ONU or ONT is located at the subscriber or customer premise, specifically at the point of demarcation or network interface device (NID). Alternatively, the ONT can be located within the subscriber or customer premise (i.e. on the subscriber's side of the NID) when allowed by local regulation. While not shown in the following embodiments of the present invention, alternative embodiments with the ONT inside the subscriber's premise are possible and implied. The subscriber gateway or a remote user device further includes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) and an Ethernet Phy device. The PSE is coupled to two or four pairs of copper wires, such as in a category 5 cable, to the ONU or ONT at the NID. The ONU or ONT further includes a PoE Powered Device (PD) that accepts power from the PSE and powers the ONU or ONT. Additionally the ONU or ONT includes a second Ethernet Phy device enabling Ethernet communication between the subscriber gateway or remote user device and the ONU or ONT at the NID. In this way, the network element is powered by Power over Ethernet from a subscriber or customer premise. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device may further include one or more of the following features for remote user use: an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a WiFi network, a Voice over IP (VoiP) service, or an IPTV service.

0016In general, in one aspect, the invention includes a system for powering a first network element of a fiber optic communication network, such as a hybrid fiber coax network, which transmits communication data between a head-end and a subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment. The first network element, such as a drop site, serves to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the head-end and coax cable to the subscriber gateway. The subscriber gateway or a remote user device further includes a DC power source, a high-speed client modem or client network device, and a first coupler that includes means for coupling the communications of the client modem or client network device to the DC power output of the DC power source. The network element further includes, a high-speed head-end modem or access network controller device, an DC-to-DC power converter, and a second coupler that includes means for coupling communications of the head-end modem or network access controller device and delivers DC power to the DC-to-DC power converter. A coax cable that is in electrical communication between the subscriber gateway and the network element serves as medium for DC power transfer to the network element and for network communications. In this way, the first network element is powered by the subscriber gateway over the coax cable and the modems or network devices are in communication over the same coax cable.

0017Aspects of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The modems, according to the invention, may be Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) modems. The modems may be Power Line, also called Power Line Communication or Power Line Carrier (PLC), modems. The network devices may also be HomePNA, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) or ITU G.hn capable devices. The first and second couplers may comprise coupling capacitors, coupling transformers, blocking inductors, or perform inductive coupling. Furthermore, the first and second couplers may include elements for low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, and/or high pass filtering. The first coupler will limit the current of the DC power to non-hazardous levels. The first network element that is powered by the subscriber maybe an optical node or simply node. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device may further include one or more of the following features for remote user use: an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a WiFi network, a Voice over IP (VoiP) service, or an IPTV service. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device my also provide Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) and include a battery backup incase of subscriber main power loss to provide lifeline support. The battery may be user, customer or subscriber replaceable. The battery may also be located at the network element. The DC power supply at the subscriber or customer premise may be a DC-to-DC power supply or an AC-to-DC power supply. A second network element, such as a tap, may further contain a device that combines the power and communication from one or more coax cables from other subscribers or customer premises to the first network element or node. The first network element may be capable of being powered from the power received from a single subscriber or customer premise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a </i>is a block diagram illustration of a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) or Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN) point-to-multipoint passive optical network (PON) with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber's customer premise equipment (CPE) or subscriber's gateway (SG) using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>b </i>is a block diagram illustration of a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) or Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN) point-to-multipoint passive optical network (PON) with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber's power-coupler device using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flow chart illustration of a method of the present invention for powering a network element with twisted copper pair wires.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-point (PtP) optical network with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair while CO provides Lifeline powering across same twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a block diagram illustration of a Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair with the CO providing Lifeline powering for Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) using a second twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>a </i>is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>b </i>is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element and a CPE/SG powered by a Powered Ethernet-Hub using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>c </i>is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered a Powered Ethernet-Hub using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a flow chart illustration of a method of the present invention for powering a network element utilizing Power over Ethernet (PoE).

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-point optical network with an ONT network element powered by subscriber's CPE or SG using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a flow chart illustration of a method of the present invention for powering a network element utilizing power over coax cable.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-point optical network with an ONT network element powered by subscriber's CPE or SG using power over coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref><i>a </i>is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref><i>b </i>is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref><i>a </i>is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref><i>b </i>is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber's CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0037Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a</i>, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views and embodiments and wherein cascading boxes below a part designates a plurality of such parts, an exemplary embodiments of an electrical power architecture for a fiber optic communication network is shown incorporating a subscriber-powered network element, according to the present invention. A FTTC or FTTN network using a PON connects a central office (CO) <b>100</b> at the head end of a passive optical distribution fabric (ODF) <b>102</b> to a subscriber premise <b>104</b>. The subscriber premise <b>104</b> can be residential homes and/or commercial buildings. The passive ODF <b>102</b> is comprised of a plurality of passive optical splitters <b>106</b> and connectors (not shown). An Optical Line Terminal (OLT) <b>108</b>, which is located at the CO <b>100</b>, acts as a central transmission point and an overall controlling device for the network. The OLT <b>108</b> is in communication through the ODF <b>102</b> with a plurality of Optical Network Units (ONUs) <b>110</b> located in neighbor hood terminals (also called pedestals) in FTTC networks <b>112</b> or in cabinets in FTTN networks <b>114</b>.

0038The OLT <b>108</b> transmits and receives data to and from the ONUs <b>110</b> in the form of modulated optical light signals of known wavelength through the ODF <b>102</b>. The transmission mode of the data sent over the ODF <b>102</b> may be continuous, burst or both burst and continuous modes. The transmissions are be made in accordance with a time-division multiplexing scheme or similar protocol. Frequently bi-directional wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is used and although the FTTC/FTTN network illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a </i>includes an OLT <b>108</b> in communication with a plurality of ONUs using a plurality of fibers, other implementations of such networks may only use ONTs or some combination of ONUs <b>110</b> and ONTs <b>110</b>. In some implementations, the ONUs and ONTs are generally similar. In other implementations, the ONUs and ONTs may differ in one or more aspects. As previously mentioned, the ONUs and ONTs are drop site network elements that generally serve to convert signals between the optical domain of a fiber and electrical domain of a twisted copper wire or possibly coax cable. Although in the hybrid fiber coax network case, ONUs/ONTs are called nodes or even taps depending on where the fiber network ends and the coax cable network begins.

0039Referring again to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a</i>, an exemplary embodiment of an ONU <b>110</b> is comprised of the following functional blocks: a PON transceiver <b>116</b>, a PON client Transconvergence Layer (TC-Layer) device <b>118</b>; a CO modem aggregation and adaptation layer device <b>120</b>; a plurality of Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL, i.e. ADSL VDSL or VDSL2) modems <b>122</b>; a plurality of Digital Access Arrangement (DAA) devices <b>124</b>; a plurality of DC-to-DC power converters <b>126</b>, and a power supply <b>128</b>.

0040The client PON transceiver <b>116</b> comprises the necessary components to convert optical to electrical communications from the OLT <b>108</b> as well as convert electrical to optical signals and communicate them to the OLT <b>108</b>. The PON transceiver <b>116</b> communicates electrically with the TC-Layer <b>118</b>. The TC-Layer <b>118</b> comprises of the functionality of: bundling and sending data into packets or frames; un-bundling and receiving data into packets or frames; managing the transmission of packets or frames on the network via medium access and bandwidth allocation protocols; providing necessary messaging and end point behavior, and checks and corrects for errors. The TC-Layer <b>118</b> communicates with both the PON transceiver <b>116</b> and a 1:N aggregation and CO modem adaptation layer <b>120</b>.

0041The 1:N aggregation and CO modem adaptation layer <b>120</b> has several functions. Modem communications over copper have lower bandwidth rates than communications over fiber thus to efficiently use the higher bandwidth rates of the fiber, the communications from multiple modems are pooled together. Thus modem communications from as many as one to some N number, for the purposes of this disclosure, are aggregated together. In an exemplary implementation, some 96 modems can be aggregated together. The 1:N aggregation and CO modem adaptation layer <b>120</b> communications electrically to an N number of modems. Each modem serving to enable communications to a unique subscriber premise <b>104</b> over a unique twisted copper pair <b>130</b>.

0042xDSL capable modems <b>122</b> are chosen as the preferred modem types however it is envisioned that many types of modems can be used for communications over copper wire or even coax cable to a subscriber premise <b>104</b>. The xDSL capable modems of <b>122</b> are central office (CO) or head-end type modems. Each modem is in electrical communication with a DAA <b>124</b> and the DAA <b>124</b> is coupled to a twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b>.

0043A DAA <b>124</b> is a mandatory interface that protects electronics connected to a telecommunication network from local-loop disturbances and vice versa. A DAA in general can mean many things because a DAA must perform varied and complex functions, including line termination, isolation, hybrid functions, and ring detection. A DAA must also provide a loop switch so that the DAA looks on-or off-hook to the loop; detect the state of the line and the incoming ringing signal, as well as include support of full-duplex operation. The International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) series G specification for transmission systems and media, digital systems and networks contains many documents, recommendations and specifications regarding DAA, as well as subscriber line interface circuits (SLIC) <b>132</b>, specifically ITU-T G.100-109 specifications that are hereby included by reference.

0044For the purpose and needs of the present invention, the DAA <b>124</b> is a device that: meets local regulatory requirements which differ by country; provides a measure of protection for both a network element, such as ONU <b>110</b>, and the local-loop; passes AC and/or DC based signal information to and from a modem, such as xDSL CO modem <b>122</b>, as well as passes DC power (DC current and DC voltage) to a DC-to-DC power converter <b>126</b> from a twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b>. Additionally, the DAA <b>124</b> provides isolation protection to the modem from the higher voltage on the twist copper wire pair <b>130</b>. The DAA <b>124</b> device may be of a design that is transformer-based, optically-based, capacitively coupled-based, silicon/integrated circuit-based, or some combination thereof which offer virtues in size, cost, and performance.

0045As previously mentioned or indicated, the ONU <b>110</b> can provide broadband services to a plurality of subscriber premises <b>104</b> over twisted copper wire pairs. Located in each subscribe premise <b>104</b> is a customer premise equipment (CPE) or subscriber gateway (SG) device <b>134</b> which is connected to the twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b>. The twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b> passes through the demarcation point or network interface device (NID) <b>136</b> to the CPE or SG <b>134</b>.

0046The CPE/SG <b>134</b> device is powered by a subscriber's residential or commercial power outlet (not shown). The CPE/SG <b>134</b> is comprised of the functional blocks: a DC power source <b>138</b>; an xDSL client modem <b>140</b>; a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) <b>132</b>; one or more Ethernet ports <b>142</b> with appropriate media access (MAC) and PHYs for operation with a subscriber's local area network (LAN); optionally an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) codec and driver <b>144</b>; optionally a Voice Over IP (VoIP) codec and driver <b>146</b>, and optionally an IEEE 802.11x (WiFi) transceiver <b>148</b>.

0047The DC Power source <b>138</b> may be from or be part of a DC-to-DC power supply or an AC-to-DC power supply. The DC Power source <b>138</b> provides DC power (DC current and DC voltage) to the SLIC <b>132</b>.

0048Generally, SLICs provide the necessary signals, timing, and control functions for the plain old telephone system (POTS) line. SLICs and DAAs perform complementary functions with some overlap. The requisite functions of these devices, although similar at first look, differ enough that implementing the technologies requires different techniques. For example, SLICs act as power drivers as they send ringing signals down the line and supply loop power, generally from batteries, to the far end of the line. DAAs, on the other hand, act more like receivers and use the supplied loop power.

0049For the purpose and needs of the present invention, the SLIC <b>132</b> is a device that: meets local regulatory requirements which differ by country; provides a measure of protection for both a network element, such as ONU <b>110</b>, and the CPE/SG <b>104</b>; passes AC and/or DC based signal information to and from a modem, such as xDSL client modem <b>140</b>; accepts DC power (DC current and DC voltage) from a DC power source, such as <b>138</b>, and acts as a power driver driving the accepted DC power down a twisted copper wire pair, such as <b>130</b>. The SLIC <b>132</b> device may be of a design that is transformer-based, optically-based, capacitively coupled-based, silicon/integrated circuit-based, or some combination thereof which offer virtues in size, cost, and performance.

0050The xDSL client modem <b>140</b> is a complementary modem to the xDSL CO modem <b>122</b> and as previously indicated is in electrical signal communication with the SLIC <b>132</b>. With broadband communications established with the CO <b>100</b> and with the optional IPTV <b>144</b>, VoIP <b>146</b>, and WiFi <b>148</b> components the CPE/SG <b>134</b> is enabled to provide television subscription or pay-per-view services, VoIP services and wireless LAN capabilities, respectively.

0051VoIP service can be used as the primary telephony line service to a subscriber. Primary line means the telephone service will be available all the time, even during a significant power event. In the case where a subscriber suffers a power outage, then the CPE/SG <b>134</b> will require a battery or uninterruptible power source <b>150</b> to meet lifeline service requirements, according to an embodiment of the invention.

0052Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>b</i>, an alternative embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a </i>is shown with an external power-coupler <b>135</b> comprising SLIC <b>133</b> and DC Power source <b>138</b>. SLIC <b>133</b> operates similar to SLIC <b>132</b>, coupling DC power from DC power source <b>138</b> onto twisted cooper pair wires <b>130</b> with electrical signal communications from xDSL client modem <b>140</b> via twisted copper wire pair <b>131</b>. SLIC <b>133</b> also decouples electrical signal communications from xDSL CO modem <b>122</b> on twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b> onto twisted wire pair <b>131</b>. In the case where a subscriber suffers a power outage, then the CPE/SG <b>134</b> and power-coupler <b>135</b> will require a battery or uninterruptible power source <b>150</b> to meet lifeline service requirements, according to an embodiment of the invention.

0053Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> in view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a</i>, a flow chart of a method of the present invention illustrated. Powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network, such as on ONU <b>110</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a</i>, from a subscriber's premise <b>104</b> entails providing or supplying a DC power <b>138</b> to a twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b> as described at block <b>200</b>. At block <b>202</b>, electrical communications from a modem, as in a client modem <b>140</b>, are coupled to same twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b> with the DC power. At block <b>204</b>, the DC power and modem electrical communications are transmitted, driven or sent across the twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b> from the subscriber premise <b>104</b> to the network element, such as ONU <b>110</b>. At block <b>206</b>, the driven DC power and modem electrical communications are received at the network element over the same twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b>. At block <b>208</b>, the network element decouples the modem electrical communications from the DC power, or vice versa, with a DAA device <b>124</b>. At block <b>210</b>, the network element provides the DC power to a DC-to-DC power converter <b>126</b> for conversion for use by the network element in the network element's power supply <b>128</b>. In the method described above, the power network and the information network become, and are, the same network. The DC power that is provided or supplied at the subscriber premise <b>104</b> for feeding the power need of the network element is assumed to be of sufficient DC current and DC voltage required for delivery to the network element. In many embodiments of the invention, this required DC current and DC voltage will be of a high level that necessitates the use of a DC converter by the network element to convert the delivered DC power to a usable level for use by the network element.

0054In alternate embodiments of the invention, such as those providing primary telephony line service without the use of a traditional POTS line, an uninterruptible power source or battery backup <b>150</b> device is required to continue to meet lifeline telephony regulatory obligations.

0055It will be appreciated that according to the method of the invention as described above, that with an increasing number of active subscribers the power needs of the network element, such as ONU <b>110</b>, increases and so does the amount of supplied DC power with each active subscriber. The method provides a solution to match increasing power demands with increasing power supply in a progressive manner.

0056Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a point-to-point (PtP) fiber optic network. The ODF <b>300</b> lacks passive splitters and illustrates the one-to-one direct connection between terminals <b>112</b> and cabinets <b>114</b> and the CO <b>100</b>. Such PtP networks may be implemented by a point-to-point gigabit Ethernet network with complementary components such as optical transceiver <b>302</b> and data link layer <b>304</b> in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> serves to show that the method of the invention as previously described, as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, is a method apathetic and even naive of the design choice or implementation of the fiber in the loop network. The method works equally well for both PtP and PON networks.

0057Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein the primary telephony line service <b>400</b> is served by legacy POTS from a CO or remote Digital Loop Carrier (DLC) network <b>402</b>. Traditionally, a CO or DLC <b>402</b> powers legacy POTS lines, however in this embodiment the SLIC <b>132</b> provides the DC power to twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b>. Twisted copper wire pair line <b>130</b> is connected to the CO or DLC <b>402</b> to a network element, such as ONU <b>404</b>. ONU <b>404</b> additionally comprises a splitter <b>406</b> that combines the POTS service with the electrical CO modem <b>122</b> communications together on the same twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b>. The splitter <b>406</b> places the POTS service at a lower and more narrow frequency (termed narrowband NB) than the xDSL modem communications which utilize higher frequencies to achieve greater bandwidth for data communications (termed broadband BB). In this embodiment a section of the twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b><i>b </i>contains both POTS (NB), xDSL modem electrical communications (BB) and the DC power (both a DC current and a DC power). This section of twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b><i>b </i>lies between and connects the ONU <b>404</b> to the NID <b>136</b> of a subscriber premise <b>104</b>. At the NID <b>136</b>, another splitter <b>408</b> filters or separates the POTS NB signal and the xDSL modem electrical communications BB providing the NB signal to connect the subscriber's primary telephone line service <b>400</b> and providing the BB signal to the SLIC <b>132</b>.

0058It will be appreciated that in this embodiment of the invention a UPS or battery backup source is not required. If a subscriber suffers a power outage, the CPE/SG <b>134</b> will be without power and thus broadband communications will be down as well. This is tolerable since the outage will cause powered equipment such as TVs and the subscriber's LAN to be down as well. The CPE/SG <b>134</b> will not be able to provide DC power to the twisted copper wire pair. The CO or DLC <b>402</b> routinely monitors conditions on the twisted copper wire pair line and sensing a loss of power on the line can provide the necessary DC power to continue providing POTS services such as primary telephony line service <b>400</b>.

0059Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, in which another alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein the fiber in the loop network is a FTTP or Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network and the subscriber-powered network element is an ONT <b>500</b> in or near the NID <b>136</b>. The ONT <b>500</b> does not support multiple premises thus aggregation methods are not necessary in the TC-Layer and CO modem adaptation device <b>502</b> and only a single DAA <b>124</b>, xDSL CO modem <b>122</b> and DC-to-DC converter <b>126</b> are required to perform a method of the invention. The FTTP or FTTH network illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a passive optical network (PON). If primary telephone service line is to be provided by the FTTP or FTTH network then a UPS/battery backup source <b>150</b> for the CPE/SG <b>134</b> may be required for regulatory obligations.

0060Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, in which yet another alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein the FTTP or FTTH does not provide a primary telephone service line. In this embodiment the POTS services provided by a CO or DLC <b>402</b> pass through the NID <b>136</b> with no splitting and on a separate twisted copper wire pair <b>600</b> from the twisted copper wire pair <b>130</b> which provides broadband services to the subscriber premise <b>104</b> and provides subscriber power to the ONT <b>500</b> as previously described and indicated.

0061Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>a</i>, an alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein a FTTP or FTTH network is shown with a subscriber-powered ONT <b>700</b>, which is powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE). The FTTP or FTTH network shown being a passive optical network (PON) implementation. PoE is defined by the IEEE 802.af specification (hereby included by reference) and defines a way to build Ethernet power-sourcing equipment and powered terminals. The specification involves delivering 48 volts of DC power over unshielded twisted-pair wiring. It works with existing cable plant, including Category 3, 5, 5e or 6; horizontal and patch cables; patch-panels; outlets; and connecting hardware, without requiring modification.

0062A CPE/SG <b>702</b> comprising an Ethernet MAC and PHY <b>704</b> device is in electrical communication with a first Power over Ethernet (PoE) capable device <b>706</b>. The PoE capable device <b>706</b> may internally comprise a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) device. The first PoE capable device <b>706</b> passes Ethernet electrical signals as well as DC power over Ethernet cable <b>708</b> to a second PoE capable device <b>710</b> in the ONT <b>700</b>. The ONT <b>700</b> being in or near the NID <b>136</b>. The second PoE capable device <b>710</b> may comprise a Powered Device (PD) in accordance with the 802.3af standard. The second PoE capable device <b>710</b> is capable of decoupling the Ethernet electrical signals, which are then provided to the Ethernet PHY <b>712</b> and provide the driven DC power to the ONT <b>700</b> power supply <b>128</b>. The second PoE capable device <b>710</b> may contain a DC-to-DC converter to supply (not shown) the appropriate DC current and DC voltage needs of the ONT <b>700</b>. The Ethernet PHY <b>712</b> is in electrical communication with a TC-Layer and Ethernet MAC adaptation device <b>714</b> to complete the broadband communication flow and to indicate the differences in ONT <b>700</b> over previous ONT <b>500</b>. The CPE/SG <b>702</b> is provided power during subscriber power outages by a UPS/battery backup <b>150</b> for lifeline powering requirements.

0063Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>b</i>, an alternative embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>a </i>is shown with a Powered Ethernet-Hub <b>705</b> comprising PoE capable device(s) <b>711</b>. The Powered Ethernet-Hub <b>705</b> passes Ethernet electrical signals between CPE/SG <b>702</b> and ONT <b>700</b> via Ethernet cables <b>707</b> and <b>708</b> respectively as well as providing DC power. Powered Ethernet-Hub <b>705</b> is provided power during subscriber power outages by the UPS/battery backup <b>150</b> for lifeline powering requirements.

0064Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>c</i>, an alternative embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>b </i>is shown with a legacy CPE/SG <b>703</b> that is not PoE capable. PoE capable device <b>711</b> passes Ethernet electrical signals from Ethernet MAC and PHY <b>704</b> via Ethernet cable <b>709</b> as well as DC power over Ethernet cable <b>708</b> to the second PoE capable device <b>710</b> in ONT <b>700</b>. The CPE/SG <b>703</b> and Powered Ethernet-Hub <b>705</b> are provided power during subscriber power outages by the UPS/battery backup <b>150</b> for lifeline powering requirements.

0065Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> in view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>a</i>, a flow chart of a method of the present invention utilizing PoE is illustrated. Powering a network element of a FTTP or FTTH network, such as ONT <b>700</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>a</i>, from a subscriber's premise <b>104</b> entails providing or supplying a DC power <b>706</b> to a twisted copper wire pairs or Ethernet cable <b>708</b> from a subscriber premise as indicated by block <b>800</b>. At block <b>802</b>, electrical Ethernet communications or signals from the Ethernet MAC and PHY device <b>704</b> are coupled to the same Ethernet cable <b>708</b> with the DC power. At block <b>804</b>, the DC power and electrical Ethernet signals are transmitted, driven or sent across the Ethernet cable <b>708</b> from the subscriber premise <b>104</b> to the network element, such as ONT <b>700</b>. At block <b>806</b>, the driven DC power and electrical Ethernet signals are accepted or received at the network element over the same Ethernet cable <b>708</b>. At block <b>808</b>, the network element decouples the electrical Ethernet signals from the DC power, or vice versa with the second PoE capable device <b>710</b>. At block <b>810</b>, the network element performs DC-to-DC power conversion for use by the network element.

0066Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, a FTTP or FTTH network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a point-to-point (PtP) fiber optic network. The ODF <b>300</b> lacks passive splitters and illustrates the one-to-one direct connection between terminals <b>112</b>, cabinets <b>114</b>, NIDs <b>136</b> and the CO <b>100</b>. Such PtP networks may be implemented by a point-to-point gigabit Ethernet network with complementary components such as optical transceiver <b>302</b> and data link layer <b>304</b> in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> serves to show that the PoE method of the invention as previously described, as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, is a method apathetic and even naive of the design choice or implementation of the fiber in the loop network. The method works equally well for both PtP and PON networks.

0067Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, an alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein a FTTP or FTTH network is shown with a subscriber-powered ONU <b>1000</b>, which is in communication with a subscriber's gateway or CPE <b>1010</b> over a coaxial cable <b>1008</b> using Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) devices <b>1004</b>/<b>1012</b>. The FTTP or FTTH network shown being a passive optical network (PON) implementation. MoCA is an industry driven specification for delivering networking, high-speed data, digital video, and entertainment services through existing coaxial cables in homes.

0068A CPE/SG <b>1010</b> comprising a MoCA network client <b>1012</b> device is in electrical communication with a first bias tee device <b>1005</b>. Bias tees are coaxial components that are used whenever a source of DC power is connected to a coaxial cable. The bias tee does not affect the AC or RF transmission through the cable. The first bias tee device <b>1005</b> passes MoCA electrical signals as well as DC power from a DC power source <b>138</b> over coax cable <b>1008</b> to a second bias tee device <b>1006</b> in the ONU <b>1000</b>, the ONU <b>1000</b> being located away from the NID <b>136</b> and serves a plurality of subscribers. The second bias tee device <b>1006</b> is capable of decoupling the MoCA electrical signals, which are then provided to the MoCA access network controller device <b>1004</b> and provide the driven DC power to the ONU <b>1000</b> DC-to-DC converter <b>126</b>. The DC-to-DC converter <b>126</b> supplying the appropriate DC current and DC voltage needs of the ONT <b>1000</b> to the power supply <b>128</b>. The MoCA access network controller device <b>1004</b> is in electrical communication with a 1:N Aggregation with MoCA adaptation layer device <b>1002</b> that aggregates or multiplexes the broadband communication flow between the CO and subscribers. The CPE/SG <b>1010</b> is provided power during subscriber power outages by a UPS/battery backup <b>150</b> for lifeline powering requirements. In this way, a bias tee device serves to inject DC power to supply the needs of the ONU <b>1000</b> while combining MoCA signals on a same coax cable.

0069Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> in view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, a flow chart of a method of the present invention utilizing power over coax is illustrated. Powering a network element of a FTTP or FTTH network, such as ONU <b>1000</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, from a subscriber's premise <b>104</b> entails providing or supplying a DC power <b>138</b> to a coaxial cable <b>1008</b> from a subscriber premise as indicated by block <b>1100</b>. At block <b>1102</b>, electrical MoCA communications or signals from the MoCA network client device <b>1012</b> are coupled to the same coax cable <b>1008</b> with the DC power. At block <b>1104</b>, the DC power and electrical MoCA signals are transmitted, driven or sent across the coax cable <b>1108</b> from the subscriber premise <b>104</b> to the network element, such as ONU <b>1000</b>. At block <b>1106</b>, the driven DC power and electrical MoCA signals are accepted or received at the network element over the same coax cable <b>1008</b>. At block <b>1108</b>, the network element decouples the electrical MoCA signals from the DC power, or vice versa with the second bias tee device <b>1006</b>. At block <b>1110</b>, the network element performs DC-to-DC power conversion on the supplied and decoupled DC power for use by the network element.

0070Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, an alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein a FTTP or FTTH network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a point-to-point (PtP) fiber optic network. The ODF <b>300</b> lacks passive splitters and illustrates the one-to-one direct connection between terminals <b>112</b>, cabinets <b>114</b>, NIDs <b>136</b> and the CO <b>100</b>. Such PtP networks may be implemented by a point-to-point gigabit Ethernet network with complementary components such as optical transceiver <b>302</b> and data link layer <b>304</b> in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> serves to show that the power over coax method of the invention as previously described, as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, is a method apathetic and even naïve of the design choice or implementation of the fiber in the loop network. The method works equally well for both PtP and PON networks. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> also serves to illustrate the power over coax method with an ONT <b>1200</b> as well as to show compatibility with other MoCA capable CPE devices <b>1210</b> that share network communications with the MoCA access network controller <b>1004</b> on the same coax cable <b>1008</b>, though such compatibility can be used with ONUs as well. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> also serves to illustrate the use of a an optical transceiver <b>302</b> and data link layer <b>304</b>, in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation, that does not need to do 1:N aggregation or multiplexing of multiple MoCA connections. A DC block <b>1207</b> is used to isolate DC power while allowing data signals to pass through unaffected to allow use of other CPEs <b>1210</b> that do not provide DC power to the coax cable <b>1008</b>. The DC block <b>1207</b> may be internal to the CPE <b>1210</b> or external (not shown). The CPE/SG <b>1010</b> is provided power during subscriber power outages by a UPS/battery backup <b>150</b> for lifeline powering requirements.

0071Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref><i>a</i>, an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON <b>102</b>. In this embodiment the bias tee <b>1005</b> and DC power source <b>138</b> are external to the CPE/SG <b>1300</b>. The bias tee <b>1005</b> combining the MoCA or RF communications from coax cable <b>1308</b> onto coax cable <b>1008</b> with DC power from the DC power source <b>138</b>. This allows simplification of CPE/SG devices <b>1300</b>/<b>1310</b>.

0072Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref><i>b</i>, an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON <b>102</b>. In this embodiment the bias tee <b>1305</b> and DC power source <b>138</b> are external to the CPE/SG <b>1301</b> and a UPS/battery backup source <b>150</b> for DC power source <b>138</b> is provided which may be required for regulatory obligations. The bias tee <b>1305</b> combining the MoCA or RF communications from coax cables <b>1308</b> and <b>1008</b> with DC power from the DC power source <b>138</b>. CPE/SG <b>1301</b> has a bias tee <b>1306</b> that decouples MoCA or RF communications and DC power from coax cable <b>1308</b>. Bias tee <b>1306</b> providing DC power to the CPE/SG <b>1301</b>'s power supply <b>1307</b>. The embodiment enables CPE/SG <b>1301</b> to be powered by an external power supply via the same coax cable used for network communications.

0073Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref><i>a</i>, an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON. In this embodiment the bias tee <b>1005</b> and DC power source <b>138</b> are external to the CPE/SG <b>1300</b> and are located in or near the NID <b>136</b>. The bias tee <b>1005</b> combining MoCA or RF communications from coax cable <b>1308</b> onto coax cable <b>1008</b> with the DC power from the DC power source <b>138</b>. This allows simplification of CPE/SG devices <b>1300</b>/<b>1310</b> and simplification of subscriber installation. Generally, power is not available at the NID <b>136</b>, however power at the NID may be available in future Greenfield installations.

0074Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref><i>b</i>, an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON. In this embodiment the bias tee <b>1005</b>, DC power source <b>138</b> and a UPS/battery backup source <b>150</b> are external to the CPE/SG <b>1301</b> and are located in or near the NID <b>136</b>. The bias tee <b>1005</b> combining MoCA or R° F. communications from coax cables <b>1308</b> and <b>1008</b> with the DC power from the DC power source <b>138</b>. This allows simplification of subscriber installation as well as enabling lifeline services with UPS/battery backup source <b>150</b> providing power during electrical blackout.

0075In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention, HomePNA is used as the communication method between an ONU/ONT and a subscriber's gateway/CPE. HomePNA is an industry standard for home networking solutions based on internationally recognized, open and interoperable standards that allow worldwide distribution of triple-play services, such as IPTV, voice and Internet data by leverage existing telephone wires (twisted copper pair) or coax cable. Thus, alternative embodiments of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-6</figref> are possible substituting xDSL devices with HomePNA capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over twisted copper pairs as well as <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-14</figref><i>b </i>with substitution of MoCA devices with HomePNA capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over coax cable.

0076In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention, ITU's G.hn is used as the communication method between an ONU/ONT and a subscriber's gateway/CPE. G.hn is yet another industry standard for home networking solutions based on internationally recognized, open and interoperable standards that allow worldwide distribution of triple-play services, such as IPTV, voice and Internet data by leverage existing telephone wires (twisted copper pair) or coax cable. Thus, alternative embodiments of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-6</figref> are possible substituting xDSL devices with G.hn capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over twisted copper pairs as well as <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-14</figref><i>b </i>with substitution of MoCA devices with G.hn capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over coax cable.

0077While DC power is the preferred method of delivering power from a subscriber's premise to a network element, AC power is also possible. Alternate embodiments of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-6</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-14</figref><i>b </i>are possible with substitution of DC power with AC power. Alternate embodiments wherein elements such as: DC power source <b>138</b>, <b>1307</b>; DC-DC converter <b>126</b>; SLIC <b>132</b>; DAA <b>124</b>, <b>125</b>; bias tee <b>1005</b>, <b>1006</b>, <b>1305</b>, <b>1306</b>; DC block <b>1207</b> or UPS backup <b>150</b> are appropriately substituted or designed with AC power in mind are also possible.

0078While UPS/battery backup <b>150</b> in various embodiments of the present invention has been shown to be an external device. Alternate embodiments with the UPS/battery backup <b>150</b> internal to the CPE, communication and/or power-coupling device are possible (not shown). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the arts, that during lifeline powering events that network elements such as ONUs and ONTs and CPE/SG equipment may power down non-essential devices to extend the time that lifeline services can be provided. Such powering down may also include reducing the line rates of communications.

0079Future regulations may require carriers to reimburse subscribers for the power used by network elements that are power from a subscriber premises'. In which case, in the various embodiments of the present invention the network elements such as ONU or ONT have power meters to measure their power usage (not shown). Additionally, alternative embodiments of the ONUs and ONTs with power meters may report their power usage back to the OLT or have their meters reset, via their management or control channel with the OLT.

0080Although the invention has been described in terms of particular implementations, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional implementations and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.